New Library Catalogue

We’ve done it again!  In April of 2014 we were able to bring some added features to our catalogue, this time it is all new. 

This new catalogue provides:

·         A more “Google or Amazon like” searching with more relevant results

·         It is responsive, changing the format of the page according to the device you are using to access it, for example, smart phones and tablets

·         Lists of new titles are easily accessible – these lists change almost daily as new material is added  

·        After you do your search you can narrow it by format, genre, fiction or non-fiction, language, year of publication, time period, place and more

·         See the reviews, summaries and excerpts on books where available

·        Add comments on titles for others to see

·        Create your own lists – your favorites, what you’ve read, what you’d like to read

·       Save your searches for future reference (In your account go to Your Saved Searches to see all of the searches since you logged in for the current session. You may choose any of the searches to save.  These will be there the next time you login.  So, if you are looking for non-fiction books on knitting or fiction sound recordings by a specific author, save your searches and check to see if there is anything new added since you last searched.)

·        Suspend holds so that they won’t arrive at the library while you are on vacation. This feature keeps your spot in the list (you cannot suspend or cancel holds that are already in the library for you to pickup)

·         Put your list of holds in order by title, suspension dates, your positions in the queue

·         Put your loans in order by title, due date and renewals remaining

·            'Cite this' feature for help with bibliographies

We work in a consortium with seven other regional public library systems.  This catalogue is used by all of these libraries, with each having a look unique to that region.  Your comments and feedback to staff or by using our CONTACT US form are very important in future developments of this service.  We hope you enjoy this new catalogue.

Charlotte Janes, Systems and Collection Access Coordinator

New Library Catalogue

We’ve made some changes.  Late in the day on April 21^st you’ll see our new library catalogue. 
 

It looks a little different, and has some new features.  There are some searching tips you’ll see near the top of the screen, these can be very helpful.  For example, if you are unsure as to how to spell an author’s name: Jan Pienkowski or Susan Wojciechowski.  You can type as little as the first three letters followed by a $ sign (ex. Woj$) and then click on “author” then on “Search”.  You will get a list of titles by authors where the first three letters are Woj, examples are Lisa Wojna, Ted Wojasik and of course Susan Wojciechowski. 

            Use the Go Back option with the catalogue to “go back” to the previous screen.  You’ll find the catalogue works much better using this feature.

            The search results of this new catalogue will be more on target with your inquiry and will be pre-sorted.  There will be more entries with added content including covers, summaries and reviews.

           

The Advanced Search contains additional options for refining your search.  My special mention is the Collection option. With this you can choose Adult Non-Fiction when doing your subject search for “Egypt”.  You won’t get those fiction books about Egypt in your list or children’s books.  The possibilities are endless.

            Now, for the best part--  if you place holds you’ll really like this one.  You are now able to add suspension dates to your holds.  So, you have too many books to read, or you are going away for a couple of weeks.  You don’t really want to have to cancel your holds for those books you’ve been waiting for only to start at the bottom of the list again.  You can add the suspension dates to whichever holds you wish so that they do not become available to you during the dates you choose (this was previously only available through staff).  Your hold will continue to move up through the list as before, but when your hold is at the top of the list, other users after you will get the book, until the suspension period has passed - then it will be held for you.

Charlotte Janes, Head of Systems and Administration